Do not look without an opinion. Just a bone head what do ya think question.

Ford.

 

I'd keep the Studeybaker. I have a ford, its a cool fun car, but its not a Studebaker.

 

That is exactally what I was thiniking......................

 

I voted trade. However not knowing what the Ford is I'd have to see how it fit. You did say late 30's so I think it would be trade. Model As are too small for me.

 

I like just about any Ford built before 1965, but a 53-55 Stude coupe would be a keeper if I ever get one. The Stude would be a tougher build, but in my book it would be worth it to have an uncommon car. Loewy's coupe design is tops.

 

Kustom Stude. I prefer '50's cars,but surely it's down to individual taste?
(If you remove finance from the equation)
Paul

 

Well 'beaner, it's like this. There's a reason why Ford coupes are always in demand. The largest percentage of the membership here (lurkers too) share the reason(s) and looking at the topic so do you. Yes, orphans are kool. Many of them had styling cues similar to the Fords and there will always be that "something" about any 30s Ford coupe. I love em. To me it's a done deal. Certainly every basic upgrade/mod has been engineered over and over for early Henry stuff and that can be a huge factor in getting something done in a hurry, but based on some of your past replies and posts being in a hurry isn't you. 35 to 39 Ford coupes, always a winner for ANY reason. I used to wrinkle my nose at 38 Deluxe and 39 Standards, now I'd love to have one. A 36 is like a Packard to my eye. A 3W 36 is a holy grail. A 37 was born to be a hotrod. Damn dude, I can't even think of one I wouldn't want.

 

It's really a personal question....what would you do? Did you buy the stude because you love it or it was just a good deal. Do you have a wife that loves it (could be a dealbreaker for some guys) Do you keep cars for a long time or are you like me and change cars almost as often as you change underwear?? (if so, do the swap!) I'm with most guys that have responded...I would do the trade. Then i would probably do another trade or two....and keep trading up until I have what I really want....then I would probably sell it and pay some bills and have to start all over again.....damn.

 

a late 30's Ford coupe in the same condition as a 50's Stude has to be worth twice as much.

I'd have to be really into Studebakers to not do the trade.... or really into that particular Stude

 

I tend to stay with what I have, after all I did build it to the specs I wanted. Its rare I find something, whether its a car plane or bike, that suits my taste and style equipt the way I want.

 

My profile probably gives my answer away. However here is my official stance:

Short term: Trade it
Long term: Keep it

 

If they're equal condition, I'd sure trade. I've got the most solid 53 Stude you will ever find. I loved them when I was young, but now, styling trends have caught up with them, so to speak. Their advanced "modern" styling is what drew me to them when I was a kid, and now it's having the opposite effect, they look a little too much like today's cars, so they've fallen down on my scale of favorites.
But 30's fords have a timeless style, they'll never blend into today's traffic.
Did any of that make any sense?
Sounds like you can't lose either way though.

 

The issue is more complicated for me. I've always considered hot rodding to be less about what car you are building than what you do to it. Do when I start a car, I usually have a vision of what it will be in the end.

Once I've picked the car, or did it choose me, I'm usually committed to it till done. I certainly don't go looking around for more. And if someone were to interupt and attempt to trade, they'd really have to make it worth my while to do so.

 

I go to shows and I'm the only Studebaker there, at best 3 or 4 show up at a big show like Goodguys. I can't count the Ford coupes! Go with the Stude.

 

I would totally trade. I've got a major jones'n for a late thirties coupe right now so I'm biased, but with all due respect sir, they do look a hell of a lot better than a studebaker. And you'd definetely be trading up as far as car value goes.

 

What's your "acdeptance" level. You know exactly what (and how well) the work on the stude was done. What about the ford? If you do "keepers" this may come back to haunt you.

 

All these guys are saying trade / don't trade - but really the only one that made sense is WHAT DO YOU SEE YOURSELF DRIVING? nothing else matters. Period. End of Story.

If you are in it to have YOUR car then that is the answer.

If you are in to flip it and make money, then who cares? It's no longer a passion

 

trade. mostly because hot rods are more fun than customs/classics... now if the stude was a gasser build... hmmmm i would probably stay.. but since that was not specified... i stand with TRADE

 

Keep the Stude!! Everyone has Fords.

 

I would trade,but I'm biased because I'm a Ford guy.If i were a Stude guy I would find it hard to trade,unless it was a worthwhile trade.

 

with no discussion of financials - Early coupe = lighter = faster with same engine.

 

I'd have to look them both over very closely. The ford would be worth more, but then why would the other guy want to trade unless the quality is down or the numbers aren't right to the title. You know what you already have. If after a real good look everything checks out the coupe. I know where there is alot of studebakers. Not so many ford coupe's. My current build I know every nut and bolt, so it would be hard to let it go.

 

A few months ago I had a gander at a few Chevy's on Craigslist that I would trade for. What it came down to in the end was the quality of the workmanship. Just another thing to think about.

It's important that the Ford meets or exceeds what you would do to it (being that far along in the build) otherwise your just trading something to bring back to basics.

 

Well you know me buddy. The only time I ever hurry is when I only have about 1300 ft to go.

Actually its only in the recent past the the later '30s Fords have become popular. The 37/8 for instance was always considered an ugly duckling by the middle of the road crowd. That's why I chose the two models Stude and late 30s Ford.

A lot of the fellas didn't get the question I think. Its not about me at all. Its about the rest of you fellas.

Personally I'd probably keep the Stude if that was where I was at. Lots of reasons to start with if I already had it I would know for sure what it would take to make it fly being the most obvious.

Maybe I'll add some more reasons later.

Opinion on my friends.

 

if the car i'm building at the time is one that i'm really into, why would i change that. sure i could get into the trade car, but i don't like to change direction mid stream unless i have to.

 

ever see a '38 Ford go 200 miles per hour?

 

tough question, I have a mid-fifties Studebaker - and I do like the 30 Fords.... so it depends on the day.... but you want an answer - I suppose, if push came to shove, it would depend on how close to completion the Stude is - I like building, owning after the build so if the work was all downhill and it was nothing more then sanding and painting - bye bye stude..... getting the first rock chip is not where I get my happiness in the hobby.

 

Damnit, i looked, so now i have to give my opinion...

To me, this hobby has always been about two things, History & tradition. My dad had a Stude with a 354 hemi/4-speed that he street raced before drag racing was a sanctioned sport. If I had the means to recreate that specific car in his honor, i would probably take it to the grave with me.

Every person here is in this hobby for a different reason, but it all comes down to one thing...a vision. With this vision comes the desire and motivation to create (or recreate). As long as it turns your crank, that's all that matters.

 

The car would tell me yes or no! its a feeling thing!

 

For me it would come down to which one trips my trigger.

As an example I have a 52 Pontiac hardtop that REALLY needs to be done and I do like the car, then I have my fathers 32 pickup project here in town. I'm not burned out on either of the these builds. I make a little bit of progress as money and time allows...... a month ago out of the blue a friend offers me a screaming deal on a 46 Ford "jailbar" pickup.

The "jailbar" started/re-started the mental wheels.

If the 30's Ford restarts the creative process than I would have at it.